Abstract: Casting plates constructed for facing the casting orifice of a metallurgical vessel are provided with a metallic casing. The casting plates and metallic casing are provided with a protrusion configured to interact with a detector. The casing has a main surface with an opening, and two substantially longitudinal bearing surfaces. The protrusion extends from the casing in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal bearing surfaces. The protrusion is formed by a ramp having an inclined portion.

Abstract: A device that holds and replaces a casting plate in a continuous casting installation metallurgical vessel contains a detector-limit switch assembly that automatically moves a casting plate to the casting position or to the sealing position, depending on whether a replacement plate is on standby on the device or not. Casting plates used with the invention are provided with a metallic casing. The casting plates and metallic casing are configured to interact with the detector contained in the device.

Abstract: A tube for pouring liquid metal has a pouring channel with a pouring axis. The tube has a downstream part with a pouring channel with an outlet diameter, and a flared upstream part with a length known as the threshold distance. The threshold distance is greater than four times the outlet diameter. The upstream part is flared and configured so that its upper end has a convex overall shape in the axial direction. The upstream part is included within a first volume corresponding to the complementary part of an axisymmetric frustoconical volume having as its axis the pouring axis. The generatrix of the volume forms an angle greater than 5 degrees with the pouring axis. The upstream part is included within a second volume, delimited by a surface of revolution generated by an isosceles trapezium revolving about the pouring axis.

Abstract: An inner nozzle is capable of being mounted onto a tube exchange device for holding and replacing an exchangeable pouring nozzle for casting molten metal out of a vessel. The tube exchange device is constructed of a frame with a casting opening. The frame is configured to be fixed to the lower side of a metal casting vessel and has a first, upper portion and a second, lower portion, joining at a middle section plane defining the plane where an inner nozzle and an exchangeable pouring nozzle form a sliding contact. The upper side portion of the frame receives and clamps in place a bearing surface of an inner nozzle at its pouring position. The lower portion comprises elements for loading and moving along a first direction (X) into casting position an exchangeable pouring nozzle. At least two clamping elements are arranged transverse to the first direction (X).

Abstract: A frame, for a device for holding and replacing plates for transferring molten metal contained in a metallurgical vessel having a casting channel, defines a housing for receiving and holding a plate, when the device is assembled, in the operating position in the vicinity of the casting channel of the metallurgical vessel. The frame is arranged to enable the introduction of the plate into the housing, and the extraction of the plate from the housing, by translation along a plate insertion direction. The housing is formed so as to have an overall planar symmetry in relation to a central longitudinal plane parallel with the plate insertion direction. The frame comprises slots for receiving thrusters intended, when the device is assembled, to apply a force, in the direction of the metallurgical vessel, on a plate inserted in the housing.

Abstract: An inner nozzle for casting molten metal from a metallurgical vessel incorporates a substantially tubular portion with an axial through bore, and an inner nozzle plate comprising a bottom flat contact surface and a second surface opposite the bottom contact surface and joining the wall of the tubular portion to the side edges of the plate. The inner nozzle incorporates a metallic casing cladding at least a portion of some or all of the side edges and second surface but not the sliding plane of the inner nozzle plate. The cladding is provided with a metallic bearing surface, facing towards and recessed with respect to the contact surface and extending from the cladded portion of the side edges beyond the perimeter of the contact surface. The bearing surface is defined by the ledges of at least two separate bearing elements distributed around the perimeter of the plate.

Abstract: A manipulation device for a shroud for casting liquid metal comprises holding means for the shroud, downstream of a metal flow control valve, this valve being able to assume an open configuration and a closed configuration under the action of drive means. The manipulation device comprises fixing means affixed to the drive means for the valve. A ladle shroud for the flow of liquid metal from a casting ladle to a metal tundish has a longitudinal axis and comprises a shroud gripping head at one end. The gripping head is fusiform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ladle shroud (10) for casting liquid metal, comprising a canal (11) along which the metal can pass, extending essentially along an axis, and a metallic jacket (17) positioned at an end portion of the shroud that corresponds to an end of the canal, characterized in that the jacket (17) comprises at least a belt (18) of a thickness greater than or equal to 10 mm, preferably of 14 mm, and in that the shroud (10) comprises means (20) of attachment to driving means, the attachment means being formed on the jacket (17), notably on the belt (18) thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a refractory plate for a device for the insertion and/or removal of a nozzle for a casting installation combined with a sliding plate flow-control device comprising a) a first surface (1) provided with an orifice (2) defining the entry of a casting channel (3) through the plate and able to form a sealing surface, at least around the orifice (2), with a face matching the face of a mobile plate of the flow-control device; b) a second surface (4) adapted to rest in housing of the device and provided with a plane protuberance (5) circumscribing the casting channel (3) and extending through the bottom wall of the housing, and c) a third surface (6) defined by the plane surface of the protuberance (5) provided with an orifice (7), with a matching face of a refractory tube in casting position, and to act as guiding surface for the refractory tube from an introduction position to a casting position, and being shaped so that the portion of the third surface (6) in contact with the matching sur

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping device including at least two assemblies each composed of a clamp (10) pivoting about a horizontal axis (11) and fitted with a groove (12) receiving a shoe (13) generally cylindrical in shape incorporating a flat surface (14) parallel to the axis of said cylinder, said shoe being capable of pivoting in the groove. The present invention also relates to a one-piece inner nozzle (2) particularly adapted for use with this clamping device. The one-piece inner nozzle according to the invention is thus composed of a tubular part (6) defining a pouring channel (4) and a flat part or plate (7) providing contact with the downstream component (8) of the pouring channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping device including at least two assemblies each composed of a clamp (10) pivoting about a horizontal axis (11) and fitted with a groove (12) receiving a shoe (13) generally cylindrical in shape incorporating a flat surface (14) parallel to the axis of said cylinder, said shoe being capable of pivoting in the groove.

Abstract: The invention concerns a valve assembly, an admission path for a pouring nozzle adjacent to the outlet of the valve, and spring thrusters for maintaining this nozzle in operating position on the admission path and for receiving another nozzle in ready position. The device also comprises a traverser with offset jack, provided with an arm for driving the nozzles, while being supported by the cam track. The invention is characterized in that the jack body is provided at the top with a sensor co-operating with this cam track, and also supports the driving arm, while the jack rod is fixed to the frame, thereby reducing the space requirement of the device.